Orlando Airport will close at 5PM Saturday

[Pigsty333]

The Orlando International Airport will close to traffic at 5PM on Saturday 9/25/04.

Disneysent out the following email to Travel Agents:





Fla.-Based Disney Destinations Hurricane Update

Friday, Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time



Walt Disney World Resort

The Walt Disney World Resort continues to monitor Hurricane Jeanne. As of 4:30 p.m. eastern time Friday, Sept. 24, the storm poses no immediate threat to the resort.

All Disney-owned and -operated hotels and theme parks are open and fully operational today, and are expected to operate with normal hours on Saturday, Sept. 25.

A temporary cancellation and "No Show" policy has been adopted for travel agents who have booked reservations through Walt Disney World or the Walt Disney Travel Company (agents that have booked through another tour operator should contact that company for its specific cancellation policy).

"No Show" penalties will be waived for any guest arrivals Sunday, Sept. 26, and Monday, Sept. 27, 2004.

Agents with clients arriving between Friday, Sept. 24 and Monday, Sept. 27 can call the Disney Reservations Center to have an existing reservation rebooked for another time period and to apply the existing deposit/payment, or cancel and have the deposit/payment fully refunded.

The standard deposit and cancellation policy will apply to clients who cancel on or after Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004.


Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic Seven-Night Cruise, Sept. 18, 2004
Because the U.S. Coast Guard will be closing Port Canaveral, this seven-night cruise will return to Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 25, around 10:30 p.m. rather than Saturday morning, Sept. 26. Guests will be provided with accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Wonder Three-Night Cruise, Sept. 23, 2004
This three-night cruise has been extended to a four-night voyage with a modified itinerary. The Disney Wonder will now visit Cozumel, Mexico on this voyage rather than the Bahamas. The ship will return to Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades on Monday, Sept. 27.

Disney Magic Seven-Night Cruise, Sept. 25, 2004
Because Hurricane Jeanne is impacting Port Canaveral, the Disney Magic will now depart from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades on Monday, Sept. 27, on a five-night voyage. The itinerary will be:

Monday: Depart from Port Everglades
Tuesday: Day at Sea
Wednesday: Cozumel, Mexico
Thursday: Costa Maya, Mexico
Friday: Day at Sea
Saturday: Return to Port Canaveral
Ground transportation will be provided to Fort Lauderdale from Walt Disney World and the Orlando International Airport. In addition, transportation will be provided back to Fort Lauderdale from Port Canaveral at the end of the cruise for clients that drive to Fort Lauderdale. Special incentives will be offered to those who choose to sail on this cruise.

Disney Wonder Four-Night Cruise, Sept. 26, 2004
This cruise is being delayed by one day and will depart on Monday, Sept. 27 on a three-night voyage rather than a four-night cruise, departing from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades. The cruise is still anticipated to sail to the Bahamas. However, depending on the path and impact of Hurricane Jeanne, it may be necessary to eliminate calls to Castaway Cay and to Nassau. In this event, Disney Cruise Line will explore the potential to visit other ports or to have days at sea.

Disney Cruise Line is offering discount incentives to clients who still choose to sail on this cruise. Agents who booked air travel for their clients should change only the inbound flight to Florida. Complications related to the ship's return to Port Canaveral on Thursday, Sept. 30 are not expected, so agents should not reschedule return flights.

 

[CM_Mom]

Copied this from the Orlando Airport Website

Hurricane Jeanne

There are currently NO plans to close Orlando International Airport due to Hurricane Jeanne

It may change but that's what it said at 10:24 EST

 

[Pigsty333]

I know, but my husband works there and right now he is at work and that is what they were told and what is being reported on the local news here.

 

[jlawall]

Well, I think that the Wonder sailors are really lucky to get a surprise visit to Coz......don't forget to stop by C&C's !!!!!

 

[tvguy]

I understand that planes MIGHT not be able to fly in the bad weather, but I am surprised they would announce a closure so far in advance. I can understand them halting take offs and landings when the weather got bad, but you'd think an airport in hurricane territory would be built to stay functioning up until the last moment it could, and would reopen the second the weather let it open.
That would sort of be like us out here in California not having earthquake resistant buildings.

 

[CM_Mom]

TVguy, this will probably be a wait and see what really happens deal.

You can check status of Orlando airport as posted by the FAA at http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/flyfaaindex.jsp?ARPT=mco&p=0

Orlando International Airport (MCO) Real-time Status
The status information provided on this site indicates general airport conditions; it is not flight-specific. Check with your airline to determine if your flight is affected.
Delays by Destination:
Due to HURRICANE JEANNE, the Key West International Airport (EYW) was closed as of Sep 24 at 03:00 PM EDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is not known.

Due to HURRICANE JEANNE, the FPR (Fort Pierce) airport was closed as of Sep 24 at 23:00 UTC. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is not known.

Due to HURRICANE JEANNE, the VRB (Vero Beach) airport was closed as of Sep 25 at 01:00 UTC. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is not known.


General Departure Delays: Traffic is experiencing gate hold and taxi delays lasting 15 minutes or less.
General Arrival Delays: Arrival traffic is experiencing airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.

This information was last updated: Sep 25, 2004 2:33:11 AM EDT

 

[CatLady]

Originally posted by tvguy
I understand that planes MIGHT not be able to fly in the bad weather, but I am surprised they would announce a closure so far in advance. I can understand them halting take offs and landings when the weather got bad, but you'd think an airport in hurricane territory would be built to stay functioning up until the last moment it could, and would reopen the second the weather let it open.

The problem isn't the building. People were stranded at MCO during hurricane Charley and were perfectly fine there.

The real danger to planes is being caught on the ground in a hurricane. Airplanes, by design, can be picked up by hurricane-force winds (otherwise they wouldn't rise when they go down a runway!) and toss around. A DC-3 was picked up and tossed upside down at the Orlando Exective Airport during Charley, along with a lot of smaller private planes. There's an article here (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...5,1,7701134.story?coll=orl-business-headlines), and I'm sure you could find photos if you were curious.

Anyhow, the airlines are in enough financial problems right now without losing a bunch of their planes that they had waiting at the gate for the hurricane to pass... so they fly the equipment out. That's why it's hard to get out again right after a storm... inbound flights have to bring planes back first.

As for what time the airport closes... well, I'm sure the airport authority wouldl ike folks like Pigsty333's husband and everyone else not on a ride out crew to get out of MCO well ahead of the storm.

 

[tvguy]

I understand about the planes. But if you send everone home that works there you only delay re-opeing the airport.
Not a big deal if vacationers can't get in our out, but with the airport still closed emergency supplies and staff can't get in our out either.

 

[beachbumfamily]

tvguy these people are only trying to be informative its not a debate

 

[Pigsty333]

Not to be combative but there are many reasons why they close. Airplanes are flown out to cities not affected by the hurricanes and ride out their storm there. As soon as they check the airport conditions and determine the extent of the damage, they reopen and flights begin.

The reason they announce the closing so early is to give people a chance to try to get out on other flights. A lot of the airlines had extra flights in to accommodate those trying to leave.

This was their press release:

Orlando International Airport will be open most of today, with plans to end commercial flights at 5:00 PM. Melbourne International will end flights at noon.

Their release goes on to state the following: HOw does Orlando International decide when to cease operations? The airport cancels bus service from its passenger and emplyee parking lots once sustained winds reach 35 mph. It stops running trams between its main and satellite terminals once wind speeds reach 45 mph. The control tower is built to withstand winds of 130 mph. But the Federal Aviation Administration disables its radar motor and controllers leave the tower once winds reach speeds of 45 to 50 mph. Besides closing the tower, the FAA will protect its radar dish by shifting its motor into neutral so it spins freely in the wind, like a weathervane.

This should clear some answers as to why the closings. During Frances and Charley Orlando, the Executive Airport, and Sanford suffered extensive damage.

Roofs collapsed, windows were blown out, and the accordion hallways leading from the terminal to the planes were destroyed. There are some gates that are still not operational.

If you have never been in a hurricane, don't knock it. Its not fun watching stuff blowing around and smashing into windows. As the previous post stated, the Executive Airport had its hangars destroyed and the planes that were there were thrown all over, including the lakes. That is why the airlines opt to fly them out.

There is a skeleton crew working at the airport - such as my husband tonight, but that is to make sure that repairs begin immediately and the runways and terminals are in working order. Don't forget, at night all those runways and taxi areas are lighted and those things do get knocked out or blown away.

Don't knock it and be glad that these precautions are taken to save human lives instead of letting greed take over and make more money.

By the way, its 4:29 PM here in Orlando, Saturday, the wind is howling, the sky is black and its already raining and we won't feel the brunt until tomorrow morning.

 

[inkkognito]

Pigsty, let your husband know that as freuqent travelers to Orlando (at least twice a month) via MCO, we admire what he and the others are doing...they've done a great job handling this absolutely miserable hurricane season! We couldn't believe the damage after Charley and were amazed at how quickly and efficiently the repair operations were going. Then, of course, Frances hit, and now I can't even imagine what Jeanne will do. But there are at least two of us who are grateful to the airport crew for hanging in there and taking care of things. We've had three flights cancelled in two months now, and I fully trust the opinion of the airport officials.
Barb

 

[TexasGirl]

I just flew out of Orlando Airport today. (MCO) We were told they were closing at 3pm...my flight was at 1:45...not much cushion. I think they ending up deciding to keep it open until 5pm but don't know since I had to take off.

 

[tracyl921]

We just got back, our flight left a bit after 2pm. The wind had really picked up by then. We were told incoming flights were to be stopped at 2:30 with the airport closing at 3pm. Not sure if we were one of the last flights out or not. I'm guessing we were. A bumpy take off - I hope for safety's sake they did close. Sorry for all of you who didn't make it out.

 

[tvguy]

Originally posted by beachbumfamily
tvguy these people are only trying to be informative its not a debate

Sorry, not trying to debate. Just trying to ask what I though was a reasonable question.

 

[Pigsty333]

Lights have been flickering, but for the most part they have remained on, luckily for us.

The winds are still about 75-85 mph. The howling is now annoying and I am sitting here watching the fences swaying in the wind. Hopefully, we will be able to assess whatever damages have occurred.

Hubby is still at work and called me to tell me that he won't be coming home until sometime tomorrow. He related that Orlando International Airport was flooded, heavy damage. The American Airlines Terminal Side roof had collapsed. He will let me know as soon as they tell them when the airport will reopen.

If my power stays, I will keep you updated.

 

[MarkRG]

Thanks for the updates, this is very important info for anyone trying to get to the next sailings.

 

[Lew]

Originally posted by Pigsty333

If my power stays, I will keep you updated.

Thanks, Pigsty333...

I appreciate your updates. Thank your husband too!

We're scheduled to fly in Tuesday. Our flights connect at Washington Reagan...in the path of Jeanne on Tuesday. Hopefullly we'll make it.

Good luck to you...

 

[Pigsty333]

Airport will open at 10AM and resume normal operations at 12 noon.

Here is also the information listed on the FAA site:

Due to JEANNE, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) was closed as of Sep 25 at 05:00 PM EDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Sep 27 at 12:00 PM EDT.